How to Play CROSSNET: Scoring, Rotation & King Square
CROSSNET takes the four-square game you played on the blacktop in elementary school and stacks a volleyball net in the middle of it. Four players each stand in their own numbered quadrant, you bump and set and spike the ball over the net, and you climb your way up to the king square at quadrant 4. It is fast, it is loud, and it works just as well for a backyard barbecue as it does for serious volleyball players warming up. Here is how the rotation, the scoring, and the serve all work so your first game does not dissolve into arguments.
What you need
- A CROSSNET four-way net with the center pole and ground stakes
- A volleyball (a softer or lighter ball is friendlier for casual play)
- Four players, one per quadrant, plus anyone waiting to rotate in
- A reasonably flat patch of grass, sand, or hard court about 16 by 16 ft
- A way to keep score out loud, since you play to a set number of points
How to play crossnet: scoring, rotation & king square
- Set up the netAssemble the four-way net so it forms a plus sign, stake it into the ground, and adjust the height. CROSSNET nets adjust for different ages and skill levels, so set it lower for kids and family play and higher for adults.
- Number the quadrantsThe four squares are numbered 1 through 4. Square 4 is the king square and square 1 is where new players enter. One player stands in each quadrant to start.
- Serve from the king squareThe player in square 4, the king square, serves by hitting the ball over the net into square 2 to start the rally. The receiving player must return it across the net.
- Rally like volleyballOnce the ball is in play, each player gets a single touch with their hands. You cannot bump it to yourself and hit it again, so one clean contact sends it over the net into any of the other three quadrants. Some casual groups loosen this and allow up to three touches per square, but the standard game is one touch.
- Win the rally, climb the squaresA player is out of a rally when the ball lands in their square, they hit it out of bounds, or they fault. When a player gets knocked out, everyone below them moves up a square and a new player enters at square 1.
- Score from the king squareIn the standard scoring version, only the player in square 4 scores a point when they win a rally. Players in lower squares are fighting to climb up to square 4, not to score directly.
- Play to the target scorePlay to 11 points, win by two, with only the king square scoring. The first player to hit 11 (and lead by at least two) from the king square wins the game. Then reset and start a new round so the next group can battle for the crown.
Scoring
- In the standard rules, only the player in square 4 (the king square) scores points
- The king scores one point each time they win a rally from square 4
- When you win a rally, the player who lost moves out and everyone below them rotates up one square
- A new player enters at square 1 every time someone is knocked out
- First player to reach 11 points, win by two, while in square 4 wins the game
- A friendly variation lets every player score a point whenever they win a rally, which speeds up casual games
Distance & setup
Fun variations
- Everyone scores: instead of only the king square scoring, award a point to any player who wins a rally. This keeps lower-square players invested and shortens the game.
- Doubles: play two-on-two with partners sharing quadrants on a larger or pool version of the net for a team game.
- Pool play with the H2O net: move the whole game into the shallow end with the floating version and play the same rotation in the water.
- King of the court: lose the king square and you rotate all the way back to square 1 instead of just down one, which makes holding the crown much harder.
CROSSNET: Scoring, Rotation & King Square rules FAQ
How does scoring work in CROSSNET?
In the standard rules, only the player in square 4, the king square, scores points. Every player below is trying to win rallies and rotate up to square 4 so they can start scoring. You play to 11 points, win by two, and the first player to reach it from the king square wins.
How many players do you need for CROSSNET?
You need four players to fill the four quadrants, but the game is built for more. Extra players line up and rotate in at square 1 each time someone gets knocked out, so a group of six or eight keeps a steady flow of players cycling through.
How many times can you hit the ball in CROSSNET?
In the standard rules each player gets a single touch with their hands, then the ball has to go over the net into another square. You cannot bump it to yourself and hit it again. Some casual groups house-rule up to three touches per square to keep rallies alive, but the real game is one touch.
What is the king square in CROSSNET?
The king square is quadrant 4, the top of the rotation. It is the only square that scores points in the standard rules, so everyone is working their way up to it. Hold square 4 and win rallies to rack up the points you need to win.
How tall should the CROSSNET net be?
CROSSNET nets are height-adjustable, so there is no single required height. Set it lower for kids and family games so rallies last longer, and raise it toward regulation volleyball height for competitive adult play. Match the height to the shortest regular players in your group.
Can you play CROSSNET in a pool?
Yes, but you want the H2O version designed to float, not the standard land net. The H2O model is built to sit in the shallow end so you can play the same four-way rotation in the water. The Original land net is not made to be set up in a pool.
Ready to play?
Grab a set and start your league this weekend. We ranked the best crossnet: scoring, rotation & king square sets for every budget.
See our top crossnet: scoring, rotation & king square picks → Printable rules card